Another wave of frozen shrimp recalls has hit U.S. consumers — this time involving several major brands — amid growing concerns over radioactive contamination, federal officials confirmed Thursday.
The Associated Press reported that California-based Southwind Foods has recalled frozen shrimp distributed under the labels Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American, and First Street, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The bagged shrimp products were shipped between July 17 and August 8 to retailers and wholesalers across nine states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
The alarm was raised after federal authorities detected Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope known to be a byproduct of nuclear reactions, in recent shrimp imports.
The FDA has now issued a public safety alert, warning that the shrimp may be contaminated with Cesium-137 and advising consumers not to eat the recalled products.
The latest recall follows news that Walmart earlier this week pulled packages of Great Value frozen raw shrimp from shelves in 13 states, also due to potential radioactive contamination.
The FDA confirmed that Cesium-137 was detected in shipping containers sent to four U.S. ports, as well as in a sample of frozen breaded shrimp imported by BMS Foods of Indonesia — raising red flags about the broader supply chain.
Though only traces of Cesium-137 are already present in the air, soil, and food due to historical nuclear activity, the FDA still warns that “the primary health risk is through long-term, repeated low-dose exposure, which can increase the risk of cancer.”
The agency is continuing to monitor imports while urging Americans to check their freezers and throw out any affected shrimp products immediately.
As the investigation widens, the growing list of brands and stores involved underscores a chilling reality: radioactive exposure risks may be closer to home than many realize.
